Wednesday, 10 May 2017

Legendary sitarist Rais Khan, who shifted to Pakistan in 1968, dies

LAHORE: India-born legendary sitar player Ustad Rais Khan passed away in Pakistan on Saturday . He was 77. He was reportedly diagnosed (निदान) with an ailment and had been bedridden(बिस्तर पर जकड़ा हुआ) for quite some time. He breathed his last in Karachi. He is survived by his wife, renowned singer Bilqees Khanum, and four sons, according to Tribune Pakistan. Ustad Rais was born in 1939 in Indore, India in a family of musicians. He belonged to the Mewati Gharana of Indian classical music. His maternal grandfather Inayat Ali Khan was also considered one of the finest sitar players in the subcontinent.

He learned music from his uncle, Walayat Ali Khan and father Muhammad Khan. Rais Khan gave his first performance at the age of 5 in Bombay's Sunder Bi Hall.The performance was attended by the governor and `maharaja of India, who appreciated the his talent.

Subsequently, he per formed on variuous important occasions and had his first foreign tour to Poland.He travelled around the world and in 1963 he visited Pakistan for his maiden performance in Karachi.

In 1968, he moved to Pakistan. He met Balqees Begum in 1979 and the following year they tied the knot.